| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| George Burns | ... | Ross 'Boppy' Minor | |
| Robby Benson | ... | Noel 'Nolie' Minor | |
| Barbara Barrie | ... | Dottie Minor | |
| Cliff Robertson | ... | Frank Minor | |
| Frances Lee McCain | ... | Nurse Mary | |
| Geri Jewell | ... | Irene | |
| Ronny Cox | ... | Ted Hahn | |
| Peggy McCay | ... | Nurse Harris | |
| Justin Lord | ... | Phelps | |
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Ellen Blake | ... | Berta |
| Aarika Wells | ... | Angel | |
| Dirk Blocker | ... | Barry | |
| Karla DeVito | ... | Barbara | |
| Art LaFleur | ... | Cook | |
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Michelle Buffone | ... | Nadine |
Nolie has just turned twenty-one but is mentally challenged, and acts more like eight. While claiming that she only wants to help him, his "smother" actually likes things that way. One day Nolie visits his beloved grandfather in a rest home and is horrified at how the old man has deteriorated, vegetating in his wheelchair. He realizes that this is partly due to the medication the nurses are giving him. Nolie decides that he must rehabilitate Grandpa himself, since no one else cares. Furthermore, he and Grandpa must keep their project a secret. It's a job for a man, and time for Nolie to become one. Written by Paul Emmons <pemmons@wcupa.edu>
This is a story of a beautiful relationship between grandfather (Papa Ross) and grandson (Noel). Papa Ross had been written off by his family and was doomed to a bleak future in the nursing home. After all, his son and daughter-in-law had a retarded son to care for. Taking care of both would be too much for them. Papa Ross was getting weaker and weaker, and had become quite uncommunicative. Noel loved Papa Ross and refused to give up on him. Taking what he learned in his life-skills classes and what he knew about Papa Ross' life in previous years, he helped his beloved grandpa rediscover joy and become active again. Each helped the other, arriving at the story's fantastic conclusion.
As the mother of a son with a similar disability, I especially appreciate Robbie Benson's portrayal of Noel as a warm, loving, incredibly sweet human being. He must have done extensive preparation for this role because he did it exceedingly well. Robbie, if I had the power, I would give you an Emmy for this film.